Parvitermes mexicanus (Light, 1933) Light, 1933

Scheffrahn, Rudolf H., 2016, Parvitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Central America: Two new termite species and reassignment of Nasutitermesmexicanus, ZooKeys 617, pp. 47-63 : 51-53

Taxon classification Animalia Isoptera Termitidae

Parvitermes mexicanus (Light, 1933) comb. n.

Nasutitermes mexicanus Nickle & Collins, 1988 (soldier). Type localities: MEXICO: Colima: Colima, Jala, and Madrid.

Material examined.

MEXICO, 76 km S. Oaxaca, 16.49, -96.74, 11 Jan 1997, T.G. Myles & D.A. Muruvanda, UF no. MX23; Chamela, 19.5314, -105.0832, 1 Apr 1996, G. Thompson, MX99; Aguaje de la Anona, 15.7731, -96.2168, 27 May 2006, T. Atkinson, MX572. Soldiers of these three colony samples were identified based on the following: congruence with both dorsal and lateral head capsule photographs from the original description (Figs L, O, Light 1933), Light’s 1933 rostrum (nasus) diagnosis stating that it is "slightly uplifted distally", proximity of the Chamela sample to the type localities, and Light’s 1933 measurements. Furthermore, scanning electron micrographs of a Parvitermes mexicanus soldier from Chamela (figs 15D, H, Nickle and Collins 1988) agree perfectly with the examined soldiers.

Comparisons.

See below under Parvitermes mesoamericanus sp. n.

Alate.

Unknown.

Soldier

(Table 1, Fig. 2B, 3A, B). Monomorphic; however some rare divergent size morphs reported by Light 1933. Head capsule and pronotum light orange-brown; nasus darker. In dorsal view, cephalic gland duct partially or completely visible from nasus to reservoir. Many small and a few longer setae scattered on head; setae on nasus very small and numerous.

In dorsal view, head capsule outline, without nasus, subtrapazoidal; nasus about 2/3 as long as rest of head capsule; head capsule slightly constricted behind antennal sockets; widest at posterior 1/3. In lateral view, vertex with slight concavities near midpoint; second slight concavity at base of nasus; plane of vertex parallel with ventral margin of head capsule. In dorsal view nasus is narrowly conical, about twice its width at base compared to midpoint. In lateral view nasus narrowly conical; angled ca. 5°above plane of vertex. Mandibles without points. Antennal with 13 articles (1>2<3>4). Hind tibia longer than head width. Pronotum with scattered microscopic setae (0.03 mm); anterior lobe evenly convex and ca. 90° from plane of posterior lobe, posterior lobe more blunt. Each tergite with 3-4 long (0.1 mm) setae and dozens of microscopic (0.03 mm) setae. EVA consists of three irregular rows of sharp, narrow, and down-curved spines; a few small scale-like spines in the anterior ring.

Worker

(Table 2, Figs 2A, 4A, 5A, 6A). Monomorphic. Head capsule very pale yellow with two slightly darker yellowish-orange dorso-lateral patches; pronotum very pale yellow; body, antennae, and legs hyaline. Antennal with 12 articles. Postclypeus considerably inflated in lateral view; scattered short and medium setae on head capsule. Abdomen with many short and a few scattered longer setae. Mandibles with about eight ridges on molar plate, molar plate with distinct dorsal notch; apical and first marginal teeth of similar shape and projection; third marginal smaller, separated from first by slightly concave cutting edge. Gut with P1 U-shaped turn near midpoint, bottom of turn extending only to dorso-lateral aspect of abdomen. EVA consists of three irregular rows of about 10-12 sharp, narrow, and down-curved spines; anterior ring with three patches of small scale-like spines.

Distribution.

Tropical Pacific slope of Mexico (Fig. 7).